Dave Murray Downhill Video

Beadraich - Today I found a reasonably well done video of what someone would see as they skied the Dave Murray Downhill Course at Whistler. This is the run that Woodsy and I will be working on during the 2010 Olympics. A copy of the video is posted at the top of this blog page.



I will try to make a point of tell you in about 11 days whether it's steeper, or flatter than the video makes it look... I'm thinking it's gonna be steeper.

-23, Morning Coffee Ramblings.

Beadraich - It was 23 below freezing this morning as I trudged my way outside to start a car that was resistant to waking up in such frigid conditions. It came to life after a couple of revolutions, but you could hear the displeasure in the engine, and under the tires as the car rolled forward to begin the journey to Tim Horton's for my morning "me time".

After getting my paper, checking the lottery tickets that screamed "you can't retire yet", I sat down with my morning coffee in Thornbury. As always seems to be the case on cold wintery mornings there was only a few snowplow drivers warming up inside with their diesel engines running outside. There is an interesting sense of this is how life should be, as I sit and observe the conversations surrounding snow, the Leafs, Canada's Alpine medal chances and life in general. A ski instructor enters for his breakfast and coffee, and quickly begins a conversation about the cold until his friend a "lifty" walks in. It is quickly decided that on days like today, Lifties have the coldest job in the world.

So with warm thoughts of the early morning life of a small town, and special respect for Lifties, I head back into the cold for a return journey to the chalet. It is along this drive, as I watch a spectacular sunrise I reflect on just how lucky I am.

So, after almost 2 years, as we are less than a week and half away from departure, and the pre-vacation butterflies are in my tummy, I hear the ski hills calling my name.

Woodsy's Cold Feet!

Beadraich - Woodsy and everyone else will now be happy, because Woodsy will now be sporting some new Icebreaker socks that were on sale at Adventure Guide in Waterloo, ON. If you are looking for super comfy, warm, and wonderful socks that don't smell like my feet do most days, these are the ones. And, they are on sale for Buy 2, get a pair for free.

My table is now stacked with all kinds of things to get ready to go. There is the first aid kit, supplies, herbal cold remedy pile because Woodsy is a boy scout when it comes to avoiding germs, and I'm accident prone even by Woodsy's standards. In fact Woodsy's Mom thinks that I careen down hills and hurl myself over the handlebars just to get Woodsy's attention. There is also the clothing pile, the camera gear pile and the pin pile. Thanks to the City of Guelph, Frank Valeriote's office, and Liz Sandals office we will be taking lots of pins, and even a full size Canadian Flag with us to Whistler.

2 weeks from right now we will hopefully be just about in Whistler. :o)))))) (with warm feet)

My Responsibility and Cold Feet

Woodsy - I bet you thought this post was going to be about my actual duties for my upcoming Olympic experience. Nope, you were wrong.


Restaurants, food, drink...these are some of my favourite things!!! Beadraich usually humours me and lets me pick the restaurants I think we would like. I have made reservations at 2 restaurants for our trip. I'm sure there will be other restaurants we will visit but knowing Beadraich and I, we will just decide on them on the fly. The two restaurants so far are Rimrock Cafe http://www.rimrockwhistler.com/ and http://www.hotelvilladelia.com/restaurant_trattoria.cfm. We are really looking forward to both restaurants. Rimrock Cafe is Zagat rated as well as Pique Newsmagazine "Overall Best Restaurant of 2007 and 2008". Trattoria is a casual Italian restaurant.



It could be a lovely mild spring skiing day and my feet would still be cold. However, my favourite ski store (and my favourite ski store person), http://www.kenmarksnowsports.com/ have solved my problem. I am now the proud owner of ski boot heaters. NOW...before you start calling me a baby, remember I am going to be in my ski boots every day, all day for 2 1/2 weeks.

16 sleeps!!!

3 weeks... plus a day.

Beadraich - So in the last week, I've spoken with my crew chief in Whistler and now I have a better grasp of what I'll be doing out there. I will be a part of a small crew that will likely be responsible for a section of the race course. We could be smoothing out ruts, shovelling snow, cycling equipment and fencing/Willies Bags, or even setting up fencing and gates.

Now, I don't think they will be trusting setting gates with an inexperienced person like myself, but according to my crew chief we will get lots of help, instruction and time to rest.

Am I nervous? Yep, I don't know how steep the pitch will really be, and I've never had to ski with gear, or even much without poles, and I'm sure the terrain in general will be overwhelming at first, but it will be an incredible challenge and experience.

I do know that my Crew Chief stressed, if it feels unsafe, or uncomfortable, don't do it. so that is reassuring and leaves me feeling less nervous. I'm sure I won't be the worst skier out there.

Anyhow, I'm off to work on my list of things that I will need in order to survive the days on the hill, and nights on the town ;o)

Cheers to everyone who has followed us this far, and thanks for the support, encouragement and well wishes.

4 weeks!!

Woodsy - 4 weeks from tonight, we will be tired from a day of travelling on both plane and bus. We will be settling in to our home away from home in Creekside. It is all starting to become a reality. It is very exciting!! Both Beadraich and I have started our lists of things we need to remember to take and things we need to buy still.
I am meeting with our travel companion next week. She is getting excited too! I'll have to figure out what her nickname for the blog will be.
My niece is coming skiing with us this weekend. This is the second year she has done this. It is a fun filled weekend of skiing, watching movies, listening to Top 40 music and good food (she loves a good Caesar salad and steak). It is fun to spend quality time with her. In a couple of years, my nephew will be able to come with us for his own ski weekend.

30 days to go.

Beadraich - 30 days! It seems like a long time and it seems like no time at all. It isn't enough time yet I can't wait for it to be here!

Woodsy and I had the pleasure of skiing with some friends this weekend who were just awesome to spend the weekend with. Our day of skiing ended with a broken New Years Resolution, and new nickname for the Great Gazoo, some wine and cheese, and nice dinner at Tessoro in Collingwood.

It's weekends like these that remind me that adventures like our participation in the Olympics are even more enjoyable when we get to share the stories and experiences with friends when it's all over.

My Random Ramblings about underwear and random generosity

Beadraich - Anyone who knows me, will know that some of Woodsy's sarcasm may have rubbed off on me. So today I noticed that the Facebook page of the "base layer" that Woodsy and I love Icebreaker that they were going to be outfitting the entire New Zealand Olympic team with base layers, socks, scarfs and hats. I had to make a comment, so I sarcastically asked if they were going to outfit some Canadian Volunteers too.

I must say I was actually blown away when they responded to me with the name and e-mail address for their Canadian Marketing Director as a person I should contact. So, I did send him a nice e-mail and received a response within an hour. (I love this company even more now)

So, for any of you who ski, snowboard, snowshoe, hike, cycle, run, walk, dance, frolic, mountain climb, or just like being outside in all weather, check out www.icebreaker.com this stuff is warm, soft, not itchy, and doesn't smell.... even after several days of Beadraich style sweating in it.

So... there is my plug for the day, and Icebreaker stuff is available at Kenmark Snow Sports

I can also say, I had an incredible experience tonight. I re posted a friends request on facebook for a slighly used snowboard suit for a young girl she knows, whose family can't afford it, and this girl really deserves something good. Well, within 3 hours, one of my facebook contacts, quickly and anonymously stepped up with a solution. It's a nice reminder that I'm surrounded by some incredible people, and that good things come together when they need to.